ASG BANDIT KILLED IN PATIKUL

ONE Islamic militant was killed on Friday afternoon following an encounter between elite government troops and a band of Islamic militants in a remote village in Patikul, Sulu, the military reported over the weekend. Initial reports to Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters in Manila, said the encounter took place at about 1:15 p.m. Friday while troops of the 1st Light Reaction Company were conducting a blocking operation in Sitio Kabuntakas, PatIkul, Sulu. Troops engaged some 20 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in a fierce encounter lasting for several minutes before the bandits withdrew towards the southwest. One still unidentified ASG bandit was killed, while no casualties were reported on the government side. Troops are pursuing the retreating bandits.